.im  13  1919  - 

RAVAGE  OF  INNOCENTS  MUST  STOP. 


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THE  civilized  world  lias  shown  its  abhorrence  of  the  wanton 
ravage  of  innocents.    Against  the  iron  and  steel  militarism 

which  could  decree  the  starving  and  sinking  and  burning  and 
rape  of  unoffending  noncombatant  villagers,  patient  peasant  mol  liers, 

harmless  children,  and  helpless  old  men,  the  civilized  human  family 
has  risen  in  wrath. 

But  the  ravage  of  innocents  is  not  ended.  In  the  villages  and 
cities  of  our  own  country  there  remain  destroyers  of  women  and 
children  whoso  toll  of  victims  in  the  long  years  of  peace  is  greater 
and  more  terrible  than  the  victims  of  German  madness.  These 
enemies  of  civilization  are  the  venereal  diseases — gonorrhea  and 
syphilis. 

WHY  DANGEROUS  AND  TREACHEROUS? 

The  germs  of  syphilis  are  small — so  small  that  they  can  be  seen 
only  through  the  microscope — but  they  are  none  the  less  dangerous 
and  treacherous  in  their  attack.  They  a! tuck  not  only  those  men 
and  women  guilty  of  immoral  sexual  relations.  Such  people  are 
largely  responsible  for  the  spread  of  syphilis,  but  its  victims  are 
often  blameless  wives  and  helpless  children.  It  invades  the  homo 
and  is  carried  from  the  husband  to  the  wife  and  other  members  of 
the  family.  An  innocent  woman  or  child  may  be  betrayed  to  the 
enemy  by  a  kiss.  Syphilis  is  often  \rry  hard  to  detect  even  when 
it  is  transmissible,  and  a  husband  may  expose  his  wife  entirely 
against  his  wishes  and  without  the  knowledge  of  either  one  of  them. 
If  uncured,  it  enters  the  blood  stream  of  man,  woman,  or  child  and 
there  intrenches  itself  for  an  attack  on  the  vital  organs  years  later. 
Then  it  may  cause  repulsive  ulcers  and  eat  away  the  bone  and 
flesh.  It  may  attack  nerve  centers  and  the  brain,  causing  loco- 
motor ataxia,  paralysis,  paresis  (softening  of  the  brain),  and 
insanity.  Sometimes  in  the  earlier  stages  when  most  readily  cured 
it  is  least  visible  and  apparent.  A  germ  enemy  intrenched'  in  the 
Nation's  blood  is  worse  than  a  human  enemy  intrenched  on  the 
Nation's  borders. 

But  terrible  as  are  the  effects  of  uncured  syphilis  transferred  to 
an  innocent  wife,  the  most  devastating  ravage  of  this  arch  disease 
enemy  is  its  transmission  from  the  mother  to  the  child  before  birth. 
In  this  way  it  takes  a  tremendous,  secret  toll  of  human  life  in  the 
form  of  miscarriages  and  stillbirths.  Worse  still,  children  with 
syphilis  in  their  blood  come  into  the  world  to^md  a  brief,  miserable 
existence.  Those  that  survive  go  througn  life  with  permanent 
handicaps.  Others  till  our  homes  for  thfe-  dependent  and  insane. 
Are  the  ravages  of  Belgian  women  and  euilddbAM$r§  tqrwkle  than 
this?  Wounds  on  the  battlefield  do  not^arry  physicaf^wison  to 
the  wife  and  children  at  home.  N^ 


llS-'oT'— 19 


2  EAVAGE   OF  INNOCENTS   MUST  STOP, 

Gonorrhea,  the  other  venereal  disease  enemy,  nearly  always 
attacks  the  human  body  by  invading  the  walls  and  tube  passages 
of  the  male  and  female  reproductive  organs.  Direct  blows  at  the 
vitality  of  the  race  are  thus  delivered.  In  both  man  and  woman 
it  may  cause,  in  a  variety  of  ways,  sterility,  or  inability  to  have 
children.  Transmissible  mainly  by  sexual  relations,  it  is  often 
unknowingly  to  wives.  It  is  as  if  an  enemy  should  place 
secret  agents  especially  to  attack  pregnant  women.  It  causes 
miscarriages,  operations,  chronic  invalidism  among  women  whose 
strength  is  of  such  vital  importance  for  the  proper  care  of  children. 
In  man,  if  uncured,  it  may  lead  to  stricture,  rheumatism,  and 
serious  organic  trouble.  As  treacherous  as  syphilis,  it  may  lie 
dormant  for  months  and  years  to  spring  up  again  and  he  passed 
unknowingly  to  another  person,  as  for  instance,  from  the  mother's 
body  to  tne  baby's  eyes  at  birth.1 

Gonorrhea,  innocently  acquired  through  contact  with  infected 
persons  or  articles,  often  occurs  among  little  girls.  With  these 
victims  the  disease  is  cruelly  persistent  and  hard  to  cure. 

As  secret  and  treacherous  and  heartless  are  these  enemies  as  is  the 
submarine. 

TEE  CASUALTY  LIST. 

We  do  not  see  the  wounded  victims  nor  do  the  newspapers  display 
the  casualty  lists  of  the  dead  from  these  ravagers.  But  the  casual- 
ties are  there,  hidden  among  the  death  notices,  and  many  more 
unrecorded  victims,  destroyed  before  birth  or  dead  at  birth.  The 
wounded  victims  fill  to  the  doors  our  institutions  for  the  insane,  the 
blind,  and  helpless.  ':  le  are  real  casualties,  people  dead,  bodies 
wounded,  minds  destroyed  not  heroic  victims  adorned  with  gold 
chevrons,  but  victims  as  innocent  as  the  refugees  of  France  and 
Belgium.  In  our  homes,  hospitals,  and  public  institutions  this  year 
ending  December  $1,  1910,  there  unll  be  more  injured  and  killed  via 
of  these  diseases  than  the  United  States  lost  during  the  entire  war  in 
ce. 

ALLIES  OF  THE  ENEMY. 

There  are,  among  us,  human  allies  of  this  enemy  of  America's 
civilization.  The  quack  doctors  and  the  venders  of  patent  medi- 
cines who  prey  upon  their  victims  with  "quick"  cures  that  do  not 
really  cure,  the  person  with  one  of  the  diseases  who  exposes  another, 
the  mar.  or  woman  who  directly  or  indirectly  promotes  the  busii 
of  commercialized  prostitution— such  persons  are  giving  aid  and 
oomforl  to  the  foes  of  American  civilization. 

So,  too,  he  who  whispers  to  the  youth  that  gonorrhea  is  no  worse 
than  a  bad  cold,  or  spreads  bhe  He  that  there  is  a  sex  necessity  for 
unmarried  youth  that  must  be  gratified  by  sex  intercourse,  is  an 
agent  of  insidious  enemy  propaganda.  And  the  people  who  sup- 
press nil  publication  of  facts  and  warnings  regarding  the  enemy 
diseases  are  unwitting  dupes,  betraying  the  cause  of  healthy  man- 
hood and  womanhood. 


'  Gkwonliea]  WtadMM  in  BW-bOrn  .    be  prevented  If  Hie  physician  will  use  a  certain  soluUoji 

;;tl/irlh. 


SRLF 
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RAVAGE   OF   OTSOCEST8   MUST  STOP.  6 

THE  PROGRAM  OF  ATTACK. 

Against  those  ravage  rs  of  the  innocent  and  their  allies  America  is  at  open  and 
relentless  war.  Begun  for  the  protection  of  (he  young  men  in  the  Army,  this  war  in 
now  being  prosecuted  by  the  public  tn-ali  h  auti;  Nation  and  State  for  tin: 

protection  of  the  whole  citizenship.     Xeare  of  patient  si  ml*,  have  developed  a  m 
of  recognition  and  effective  cum,    The  military  author!'  a  diseases 

afe  not  an  unconquerable  toe. 

Then;  will  be  no  peace  conference  with  the  plenipot*  ataariea  oi 
now  organized  not  only  a  defensive  campaign  of  cure  bul  a  great  health  offensive  ol 
vent  ion  by  suppress  tutionand  promoting  education  reinforced  ty  recreation. 

.state  by  stale, ' •  i i  \- 1>\  city,  village  by  village,  from  Maine  to  California,  a  united  front 
of  citizens  is  being  duiII  up  who  will  tight  the  war  to  a  glorious  finish.  American  public 
opinion  is  mobilized  against  syphilis  and  gonorrhea. 

MKPICAL    MEAKl 

The  medical  profession  is  a  vital  pail  of  the  lighting  force  againal  venereal  diseases. 
K  verj  v  ictim,  whether  innocent  or  guilty,  is  a  potential  carrier  of  the  poison  to  others. 

All  means,  then-fore,  must  be  used  to  extend  free,  prompt  and  scientific  treats 
who  need  it.     A  prompt  cure,  moreover,  cuts  off  the  disease  in  its  infectious  BtS 
sa\  im,r  others  as  well  as  the  victim  from  the  severe  consequences  of  a  relapse  and  the 
final  si 

Clinics,  free  to  venereal  patients  in  every  center  of  population,  will  extend  prompt 
and  .<•  I  reatmenl  to  infected  or  exposed  persons.    These  are  being  established 

rapidly  by  State  boards  of  health  and  the  United  Slates  Public  Health  Service.  Local 
communities  must  cooperate  in  their  establishment  and  support. 

Many  hospitals  and  physicians  have  in  the  past  turned  away  venerea]  patients. 
They  are  now  offering  their  facilities  to  help  in  treating  these  dangerous  can  ■ 

icians  are  being  required  to  report  venereal  diseases  to  health  boards.    This  will 
ion,  Eot  the  first  time,  of  the  casualties  due  to  the  enemy.     It  will  also 
tie  health  authorities  to  quarantine  those  who  refuse  to  take  precautions  to  pn 
their  fellow  beings. 

<  lood  treatment  must  be  offered  free;  poor,  unscientific  treatment  that  .gives  only  a 
false  cure  must  be  suppressed.  The  best  druggists  of  the  country  have  agreed  not  to 
sell  patent  medicines  for  self-treatment  or  to  prescribe  for  these  diseases.  Newspapers 
and  other  advertising  media  are  refusing  to  advertise  quack  doctors  and  quack  rem- 
edies. Prompt  and  thorough  medical  treatment  for  all  victims  will  greatly  reduce  the 
danger  to  innocent  mothers  and  children. 

EDUCATION. 

In  BVery  modern  war  much  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  spreading  of  information 
it  the  enemy.  Telling  the  truth  about  the  venereal  enemy  to  the  Ann  rican  people 
will  help  greatly  to  win  the  war.  Venereal  diseases  maintain  themselves  largely  on 
public  ignorance.  State  boards  of  health  and  the  Public  Health  Service  have  prepared 
pamphlets,  exhibits,  motion  pictures,  newspaper  advertisements,  through  which  they 
ring  the  educational  offensive  to  individuals  and  groups  throughout  the 
country. 

Every  mature  man  and  boy  in  the  United  ^'tates  must  be  taught  the  truth  about 
his  s'-xual  nature.  He  should  Learn  that  continence  before  marriage  is  entirely  com- 
patible with  health  and  that  promiscuous  sexual  intercom.-  ant  danger  to 
health  becaui  e  practically  all  !<  >n  are  carriersof  venereal  diseases,  lb-  should 
learn  the  very  Beriouscom  il  diseases  to  his  own  bodv  and  the  dai 
of  passing  them  on  to  his  future  wife  and  children. 

Women  and  mature  girls  should  learn  of  the  havoc  wrought  by  gonorrhea  and 
syphilis. 

All  parents  should  know  the   facts  of  box  h\  ind  physiology  necessary  for 

ins)  meting-  their  own  children  and  for  imparting  to  them  the  ideals  of  a  chivalrous 
spirit,  clean  mind  and  body    a  sure  protection  again 

LAW     I'.NI'OIICI'.MKXT. 

The  supply  of  prosti  at  also  be  reduced,  as  far  as  possible,  by  strict  law 

enforcement.    This  meai  ogofanye  3  that  have 

survived  the  war,  and  th.  m ■•  and  supervising  of  Btr 

ance  halls,  aim-  Eor-nire  autos,  ami  road  houses,  in  order  that 

Ming  customers.     Prostitution,  made  an 
unprofitable  business,  will  in  volume. 


4  RAVAGE   OF  INNOCENTS   MUST  STOP, 

Many  unfortunate  women  after  being  arrested  and  sentenced  will  want  to  return  to 
the  old  life  as  soon  as  they  are  released.  A  percentage  of  these  are  feeble-minded, 
others  are  beyond  reclamation.  They  must  therefore  be  confined  permanently  in 
institutions.  At  large  they  are  voluntary  carriers  of  venereal  disease.  Other  unfor- 
tunates can  be  reclaimed  to  a  decent  life  by  having  their  health  restored,  and  by  being 
taught  a  useful  occupation.  By  arresting  and  detaining  all  prostitutes,  by  keeping 
the  feeble-minded  and  hardened  prostitutes  permanently  isolated  from  society,  by 
turning  back  wayward  girls  prepared  to  live  a  decent  life,  the  supply  of  commercial 
prostitutes  can  be  reduced  to  a  minimum  and  the  most  prolific  cause  of  the  spread  of 
the  diseases  largely  removed. 

RECREATION. 

A  most  valuable  aid  to  these  three  lines  of  public  health  attack  is  sound,  healthful 
recreation  for  all  young  people.  The  ages  when  boys  and  girls  commit  their  first  sex 
offenses  are  the  'teens  and  early  twenties.  These  are  also  the  ages  when  girls  and  boys 
alike  are  in  need  of  exciting  recreation.  Vice  promoters  employ  for  their  own  ends  this 
craving  for  companionship,  excitement,  color,  adventure  and  romance,  and  entice  their 
victims  by  appealing  to  their  normal  desires.  It  is  a  miserable,  sordid,  and  tawdry 
kind  of  recreation  they  give,  leaving  the  venereal  enemy  in  its  wake — but  it  is  recrea- 
tion. Excitement,  adventure,  romance,  and  companionship,  however,  can  now  be 
furnished  by  communities  in  a  wholesome,  healthful  way.  Such  recreation  forms  an 
effective  attack  on  the  venereal  diseases. 

THE  COMBINED  ATTACK. 

In  attacking  our  European  enemy  we  brought  to  bear  every  possible 
agency — airplanes,  artillery,  engineering,  hospitals,  gas,  industry, 
shipping,  propaganda,  full  man  and  woman  power.  We  did  not  stop 
to  argue  about  the  comparative  value  of  ammunition  and  hospitals. 
We  needed  both  and  used  both.  In  this  health  war,  too,  we  can  not 
profitably  stop  to  argue  whether  motion  pictures  or  clinics  or  play- 
grounds or  detention  homes  are  the  most  effective  means  of  reducing 
the  venereal  enemy.  We  must  use  all  available  means.  It  is  an 
emergency.     It  is  war. 

Every  day  we  delay  the  construction  of  homes  sufficient  to  care  for 
feeble-minded  prostitutes;  every  day  we  delay  the  establishment  of 
venereal  clinics  or  the  proper  education  of  boys  and  men  in  sex 
hygiene;  the  syphilis  and  gonorrhea  germs  are  being  carried  into 
another  home,  blinding  the  eyes  or  poisoning  the  blood  of  more 
babies. 

All  are  needed  in  the  citizen  army.  Civic  organizations  and  clubs, 
physicians,  teachers,  lawyers,  ministers,  nurses,  mayors,  police  chiefs, 
prosecutors,  judges,  councilmen,  are  needed  in  the  fight  to  make  the 
American  family  safe  for  future  generations. 


FREE  PAMPHLETS. 

Set  A.  For  young  men.  Set  T).  For  parents. 

Set!'..   For  the  general  public.  Bel  B.  For  girls  and  young  women. 

Set  C.   For  boys.  Set  F.  For  educators. 

Additional  copies  of  this  pamphlet  and  others  explaining  the  Government's  cam- 
paign against  venereal  diw  ases,  and  giving  such  facts  of  sex  as  are  essential  for  the 
welfare  of  young  people,  will  be  sent  to  any  address  free. 

WRITE  TO  YOUR  STATE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OR  TO 
THE  TREASURY  DEPARTMENT, 

UNITED  STATES  PUBLIC  HEALTH  SERVICE, 

228  First  Slrcel  Norlhwest,  Washington,  D.  C. 

S  D  of  TI 

V.  D.  Pamphlet  No.  12.  » 

WASHINGTON  ;  GOVERNMENT  PBINTIXCJ  OFFICE:  1010 


